Northwestern traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday morning in hopes of clinching bowl eligibility for the first time since 2023. However, the Cornhuskers put away the ‘Cats’ hopes (at least until two
weeks later) 28-21. After the loss, what worked for Northwestern, and what needed to change?
Stock Up
Aidan Hubbard
This acknowledgement extends to several players on Northwestern’s defense. The ‘Cats consistently collapse on the opening drive. Will head coach David Braun be satisfied with the opening mishaps when he watches film this week? No. However, the resilience of the defense is on display week in and week out, and no one exhibited the potential of that perseverance more than Aidan Hubbard.
With the ‘Huskers on the doorstep of the Wildcat red zone early in the second quarter, Hubbard downed quarterback Dylan Raiola in the backfield for a 9-yard sack. Ultimately, this play led to a missed field goal by Nebraska kicker Kyle Cunanan, keeping the game 7-0 Nebraska.
That was not the only time Hubbard stood in the way of a nearly unstoppable Nebraska scoring drive. With 1:54 left in the first half, Hubbard pulled Cornhusker running back Emmett Johnson to the turf for a 6-yard loss to force third-and-16. Ultimately, the ‘Cats would catch Raiola reaching for the line-to-gain, and force a fumble to end the half down only 6-7. For his efforts, Hubbard rose to No. 8 all-time on Northwestern’s career sack list.
Offensive line
The running game was, as usual, the one consistent feature of Northwestern’s offense. The Wildcats’ backs more than earned their flowers against the Cornhuskers. However, neither back would have put up the performances they did without the lanes opened by offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle’s boys upfront. Less than 12 minutes were left in the contest when the offensive line kept the Nebraska front seven completely out of the backfield, allowing Caleb Komolafe to book it 56 yards to the house. This score led to a 21-21 game, giving the ‘Cats hope in a dire scenario.
The O-line’s efforts went beyond blocking. With 6:59 to go in the second quarter, Stone tried to evade the Cornhusker pass rush but fumbled the ball at the line of scrimmage. Offensive lineman Evan Beerntsen immediately fell on the ball to cover for Stone, and Northwestern went on to score three points that drive.
Caleb Komolafe
Komolafe racked up a career-high 125 yards and two touchdowns over an otherwise unproductive afternoon for the offense. The efforts of “the beast” were not enough to win the game for Northwestern, but with four more chances to clinch a bowl appearance, he and Joseph Himon II will have to keep their legs churning.
Honorable Mentions: Robert Fitzgerald, Hayden Eligon, Mac Uihlein
Stock Down
Run defense
Compared to Nebraska’s offensive line, Northwestern’s front seven looked like a junior varsity squad. Over the first 30 minutes, the Cornhuskers’ rushing attack allowed them to move up and down the field at will. Nebraska notched 10 runs of 5+ yards over the first 30 minutes. Perhaps the worst aspect of Northwestern’s inability to stop the run was the impact that it had on fourth downs. On the first Cornhusker drive of the second quarter, the ‘Huskers converted two fourth-down plays on the ground.
The ‘Cats floundered against the run most of the afternoon, allowing 155 total rush yards and four yards per carry. However, because Northwestern had to pay so much attention to the run, the passing game erupted for the ‘Huskers late in the fourth quarter. Nebraska ate nearly half of the fourth quarter in a single drive, and all four of the squad’s third downs were 7+ yard completions. That drive would end with a touchdown and a 28-21 lead for Nebraska.
Preston Stone’s accuracy
Preston Stone put his receivers in uncomfortable positions repeatedly on Saturday. Balls flew into every part of the field, either too high or too low. Less than six minutes remained in the first half when Stone completed a pass in-stride to a receiver (and the pass was caught one yard past the line of scrimmage). On the one hand, anyone could have predicted Preston Stone’s struggles against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers boasted the top-performing pass defense in the nation entering the game, allowing only 123 air yards per game. On the other hand, Stone still had a number of open windows to target.
On the ‘Cats’ longest play of the first quarter, he found Griffin Wilde on a 37-yard slant-and-go (sluggo) route. However, Stone underthrew the pass, and even though Wilde caught the ball, he could not take advantage of the empty 39 yards of gridiron in front of him. On Northwestern’s next drive, Stone faced a third-and-8 at Nebraska’s 22-yard line. Ricky Ahumaraeze had a one-on-one opportunity inside the 10, but Stone’s pass led him towards Nebraska defensive back Ceyair Wright and a dangerous, incomplete pass. The drive ended with only three points for the ‘Cats.
These struggles worsened throughout the game. Down eight points halfway through the third quarter, Stone threw an uncatchable pass at Wilde, which tipped off the receiver’s hands into the waiting arms of Nebraska defensive back Donovan Jones. Three plays later, Nebraska scored its third touchdown of the game. On Northwestern’s last offensive play of the game, Stone overthrew Wilde one final time on a wide-open touchdown.
Northwestern special teams
Coming out of the half, Northwestern had to feel good about its chances. The ‘Cats had scored two unanswered field goals and kept the Cornhuskers off the board since their opening drive.
That high lasted 13 seconds.
Nebraska return man Kenneth Williams returned the kickoff 95 yards for his team’s first kick-return touchdown since 2017. Without the ‘Cats offense or defense stepping on the field, the work that Northwestern put in to crawl back into the contest was wiped out.
Honorable Mentions: The score at halftime (what is so funny about 6-7?), fourth quarter turnovers, arm tackling
